Our Top 5 Breweries

With an ever changing beer scene, it’s hard to pick just one “Best Brewery” in Houston. That’s why we’ve put together our list of the Top 5 Houston Breweries for you to enjoy. These are the breweries that we recommend to any first time visitors or long time Houston residents. These are ranked by beer (which must always come first), atmosphere, service, and the always undefinable, “it” factor, or that one thing that just makes a brewery stand out from the crowd. Feel free to comment with your top 5 or let us know if you agree or disagree. Our list does not include anything outside of the Beltway.

5. 8th Wonder - (Map)

Our number 5 choice is 8th Wonder. First of all, they have an incredible number of options when it comes to their beer – from the limey and salty, ultra-drinkable, gose, Haterade to their barrel-aged, creamy, and caffeinated, Rocket Fuel – there is something for everyone. They also have plenty of options for those not drinking and the distillery and the THC shop right next door.

Second, there is no brewery in Houston that better encompasses the sports and hip hop cultures of the city. The entire facility is a love letter to the Astrodome and the DGAF attitudes of our music scene. Relax in one of the original seats to come out of the Astrodome, play some video games, or hang out in the huge backyard next to some impressive statues of the Beatles created by local artist David Adickes.

Finally, their prime location in EADO brings in crowds from all sorts of events, especially baseball and soccer games but also from conventions, pub crawls, bachelor and bachelorette, and birthday parties. With so many people competing for attention the staff does a great job of keeping the lines moving across the sprawling bar.

4. Eureka Heights - (Map)

Located in the always lively Shady Acres, Eureka Heights is a great neighborhood brewery to grab a pint. They pride themselves on making interesting and approachable beers. They have a style to please all palates with the super easy to drink cream ale, Buckle Bunny, an incredibly juicy IPA, the Fruity Hazy Hazy Juice, and their barrel aged Nuke The Whales.

Their large loading dock facility allows for plenty of people to hang out and socialize. But, if you’re looking for somewhere to watch a game or support your local Houston sports teams, they have TVs and a HUGE projector screen to root for our hometown favorites. They have regular bingo and trivia nights, the Laces Out running club, a cycling team, and an excellent selection of rotating food trucks. It’s a great place to meet friends for one beer or start your 19th street pub crawl.

Finally, Eureka Heights has the friendliest staff, brewers, and owners in the world. You can always stop Joel or Casey and chat about all things beer. The bartenders are always willing to spend some time with you trying things until you find the beer that’s just right for you (hint: they are all the right one).

3. Equal Parts - (Map)

This place has been on our top 5 list since they opened as Sigma Brewing in 2016 and not just because of their affiliation with Doomsday Wrestling. No, it’s because they have been making some of the best and strongest beers since day one. They made big, bold choices and those choices paid off. There was a time when almost everything on their tap was greater than 6% ABV, but those beers weren’t just over hopped, kick you in your teeth IPAs (some were, but that’s also a-ok by us). No, they had fresh, full flavor, easy to drink, big beers. They did things their way and we were lucky enough to tag along. Since they rebranded, they have developed lighter beer options, but they haven’t lost any of the great flavors. Lighter beers include the smooth and crispy pilsner, Loggierbier or the Toasty, their toasted lager with malty flavor. We are huge fans of their Intermezzo, a tart Berliner Weisse that you can get mixed with different fruit flavors and their Exotica series of tiki inspired sours.

Now one of the things we loved about Equal Parts when they opened, is that they brought the DGAF attitude of making beers they want to drink to the whole space. They listened to heavy metal, had video games in the tap room, and display some of the coolest 80s/90s villain inspired art on the walls. Since they rebranded and expanded, their tap room has become a cozy and comfortable blend of modern and industrial aesthetics. It’s a great place to chill but we occasionally miss the old vibes.

That said, everyone at Equal Parts loves beer and loves the community they have built in the Second Ward (not EADO and don’t you forget it!). There is always something going on, they are very accommodating to large groups, and they love when people come in to tailgate before heading to an Astro’s or Dynamo game. Plus, since they recently purchased Brash Brewing, we can expect to get a little bit of that original DGAF attitude again.

2. Saint Arnold Brewing Co. - (Map)

Coming in at number 2, Saint Arnold is an OG staple of the Houston craft beer scene. If you’re in the beer business in Houston, you have probably worked with Brock or know someone who did. Without Saint Arnold, the beer scene in Houston would be something completely different. We love their Art Car IPA, and it’s hard not to be impressed with the coveted Divine Reserves or Pumpkinator.

We love their new beer garden and restaurant. It has the feel of a church and one could argue that Saint Arnold is hallowed ground for beer lovers in Houston. They have a spectacular view of downtown, and the beer garden gets packed on beautiful days or when there are major events going on in town. That said, they have the most efficient staff in the city. If you have a large group, beers get delivered before everyone even finishes ordering. Plus their food is just fantastic.

It’s not hard to figure out why Saint Arnold has been so successful in Houston, and we don’t even have to say much. Just go check it out for yourself.

1. Holler Brewing Co. - (Map)

Finally, our number 1 brewery in Houston is the small and unassuming Holler Brewing company. Opened in late 2016, by John and Kathryn Holler, we fell in love on day one. They have made consistently great beer from the very beginning, even winning a medal at GABF their first year. Every beer they make is fresh, delicious, and unique. We prefer the IPAs like Good Clean Fun or Slow Clap, of course, but you can’t go wrong with their ESB or if you want something tart, Don’t Be Tarty to the Party (who knows what fruit flavor they’ll have on tap this week!?). Holler is one of the only places in Houston that provides “tank fresh” beer, which means it has never been transferred from bright tank to keg and therefore, less exposure to air and less chance to get funky.

Now it’s not just their beer that we love, but the people and the space. Located in the Sawyer Yards, the little warehouse space is cozy and casual. They don’t have TVs (but they have a projector screen for very select sporting events) because they want people coming in to hang out and socialize. And although they don’t have a kitchen, there are plenty of food options in the neighborhood. They are friendly, caring, and love to entertain, plus they are extremely accommodating. They are centrally located and within easy biking distance to 3 other breweries plus a cidery. They also have a running club, The Holler Haulers, and they recently started a social bike club. There is just something about Holler that makes us want to spend all our time there.

Honorable Mention - Black Page Brewing - (Map)

Updated 11/21/24: This is now know as H-Town Brewing

One of the newest spots in Houston, we want to shout out to is Black Page. Their location alone makes it worth the trip. They were able to build a brewery right next to White Oak Bayou so when you visit, you feel completely separated from the city. They have a limited number of beers, but we look forward to what they will create.

We hope you enjoy our Top 5 Breweries in Houston. Leave a comment and let us know what you think and don’t forget 4 out of 5 of these are on our tours! So book now and come check ‘em out!

Cheers!

Brian and Jason

Our Top 5 Breweries in Houston!